June is Pride month, which means those in the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual) community have lots of reasons—and places—to celebrate! We’ve gathered a list of some of the most exciting parades from across the country to share with you so you know exactly when to expect them. Gay pride parades happen all around the world, in major metropolitan areas as well as smaller towns. If you’re any flavor of queer or an ally, you can march, dance and show off to your heart’s content at any of these parades.
Many cities feature pride events throughout the month of June, with extra parties around Pride weekend. Some big cities hold their pride parades at other times of the year, (Miami’s is in April, for instance) so if you live in those areas, check out how you can participate. Here’s a list of some of the top pride parades taking place during Pride month from all around the country.
Philadelphia Pride Parade – June 2, 2024
While you’ll have to wait a little longer to find out the date of the 2024 Philadelphia Pride Parade, you can expect it to be a totally fun time! This daylong event starts in downtown Philadelphia, travels through Center City, and then ends in what’s known as the Gayborhood (the Midtown Village neighborhood). From music and speeches to live shows, this celebration will be one to remember!
Washington, DC Pride Parade – June 8, 2024
Part of Capital Pride Week (which runs from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 9 and will be filled with parties and events celebrating the LGBTQIA community) this pride parade is expected to start around 3 p.m. at 14th and U Streets NW. It will end five hours later at P and 21st Streets NW. This parade will feature entertainment, food, and beverages. In past years, awards were given to various floats, including Best Decorated Float and Most Outrageous Float. A Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show will also take place on June 8. A pride festival, concert, and dance party give you a chance to continue the revelry on June 9.
New Orleans Pride Parade – June 8, 2024
Unlike most pride parades, the New Orleans one happens at night, from 6-10 p.m.— But of course, that’s fitting for a city with such a wild reputation! The parade will go through Marigny and the French Quarter, and it’s sure to be a fun time.
Los Angeles Pride Parade – June 9, 2024
This pride parade will feature over 150 contingents marching to the theme of “Power in Pride” along Hollywood Boulevard. Expect to be one of over 150,000 spectators when you attend this popular event. Adjacent to the parade route, from mid-day into the evening, there will be a free Pride block party featuring performances, vendors, food and beverages, pop-up bars, and more!
Baltimore Pride Parade – June 15, 2024
This parade typically draws over 300,000 people and has floats, music, performers, creators and civic leaders. The whole weekend features a block party and DJs, but that’s not all! As fun additions to the festivities, they also have a pet parade and a high-heel race! (Heels must be at least two inches high). Stick around the next day for family pride and elder pride, where you can meet LGBTQIA+ community elders and learn more about your community history.
Providence, Rhode Island Pride Parade – June 15, 2024
Another city with a nighttime pride parade is Providence, Rhode Island, which is officially named the LGBTQIA+ Illuminated Night Pride Parade. This special event usually features light-up floats, performing artists, and marching groups, and it’s preceded by a daytime PrideFest festival.
Columbus, Ohio Pride Parade – June 15, 2024
The first-ever Columbus Pride Parade was held in 1981 and had an attendance of only about 200 people! This year, over 700,000 people are expected to enjoy the June 15 Pride Parade and other LGBTQIA+ pride events throughout the month of June, including a Pride brunch fundraiser, a Pride 5K, Pride Illumination at dusk, and a Pride Festival and Resource Fair. There’s no denying that the Buckeye state has plenty of pride to go around!
Denver Pride Parade – June 23, 2024
The Coors Light Denver Pride Parade boasts the title of the largest celebration of Pride and the LGBTQ+ community in the Rocky Mountain region. This event spans 14 blocks and is chock full of floats, marchers, DJs, go go dancers, and more. Various fun and exciting events take place over the June 22-23 weekend, including a Pride 5k race. The Coors Light Denver Pride Parade is just the icing on the cake! These events are put together by The Center on Colfax nonprofit, the largest LGBTQ+ community center in the Rocky Mountain region. They have been in support of the LGBTQ+ community since 1976.
Twin Cities Pride Parade (Minneapolis) – June 30, 2024
This parade usually draws 400,000 people from the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota (and surrounding areas). This weekend-long celebration features plenty of pride-themed events such as the Twin Cities Pride Festival, Rainbow Run 5K, culminating in the pride parade on Sunday.
Houston Pride Parade – June 29, 2024
Houston Pride has been a central part of the LGBTQ+ community in Texas for over 40 years! This year’s Houston Pride Parade has the fitting theme of “You Won’t Break Our Pride” designed to showcase “empowerment, unity, and the celebration of an unbreakable spirit.” The events during this 46th annual Houston pride celebration are one hundred percent volunteer-run and is all about finding like-minded people and being yourself. This year marks the return of the Pride Houston festival.
Nashville Pride Parade – June 22, 2024
The Nashville Pride Parade is the largest LGBTQ+ celebration in Tennessee. This large event is known for garnering over 75,000 attendees and will be paired with a Pride Festival. Other June Pride events in Nashville include a June 9 Pride Pageant where people will compete to become Ms. / Mr. / Mx. Pride.
New York City Pride Parade – June 30, 2024
One of the biggest pride events in the country, New York City’s Pride Parade has been happening since 1970. This year’s parade theme is “Reflect. Empower. Unite.,” and it’s estimated to draw a whopping 4.5 million spectators and participants, including 115,000 marchers. It will also likely feature over 100 floats as it has in past years. There will also be a Pride street fair on June 30 to continue the revelry. On Saturday, June 29, a YouthPride event will take place in Brooklyn’s Domino Park.
San Francisco Pride Parade – June 30, 2024
This year will be the 54th annual San Francisco Pride Parade and the theme will be “Beacon of Love.” As one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the country, this pride parade is one full of community spirit. The parade kicks off with Dykes on Bikes, the San Francisco Women’s Motorcycle Contingent, and features a wide range of community participants. It’s part of a weekend-long Pride celebration. Other June Pride events include a kickoff party June 7 and a Human Rights Summit will take place June 27.
Chicago Pride Parade – June 30, 2024
This pride parade goes through the Boystown neighborhood of Chicago and attracts over 60,000 people. This year is the 53rd annual parade and will feature three music stages and over 100 arts and crafts vendors, plus drag shows, DJs, food from local restaurants, and more. This parade has been going on since 1970, and seems to get better every year! You also don’t want to miss Pride in the Park, a ticketed LGBTQ outdoor music festival that “celebrates equity, diversity and good times in Grant Park.” Organizers recommend taking the CTA rather than driving to this pride parade due to the large crowds.
Seattle Pride Parade – June 30, 2024
The Seattle Pride parade’s mission is to “create unity, honor diversity, and achieve equal human rights throughout the region and the world.” The 50th annual pride parade is sure to be spectacular as it celebrates this milestone with the timely theme of “Now!” in order to honor “the original rallying cry for the recognition of Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ community.” This is the largest parade in Washington state, and over 300,000 parade-goers and 250 participating groups are expected. Want more Seattle Pride events? Kick off Pride month on June 1 with Pride in the Park, located in Volunteer Park, with a day of queer arts, music, performance, and culture.
An honorable mention goes to the Spencer Pride Festival in Spencer, Indiana, which takes place in the fall on Saturday, October 6! How could we not love what they’re doing to support the LGBTQ+ community? They have a whole day of family-friendly pride events planned, including music, a pet pride parade (awwww), street performers, merchants, foods (such as cotton candy, elephant ears, and specialty ice cream), and plenty of other forms of entertainment! Spencer’s hearts Spencer!
Want to look your best when attending a pride parade this year? Check out Spencer’s Pride gear for plenty of rainbow merch and equality message tees. Did we miss your favorite local pride parade? Let us know at spencersblog@spencergifts.com and we may feature your suggestion in a future post!
